Wire harness with cylinder valve protection

Abstract

An apparatus and a method are provided for a wiring harness configured for a compressed natural gas (CNG) powered vehicle. The wiring harness comprises an assembly of wires to convey electrical signals. The wires may be bound together by straps, cable ties, cable lacing, sleeves, electrical tape, conduit, a weave of extruded string, or a combination thereof. An exterior sleeve comprises a protective over-molding for the wires. The exterior sleeve seals substantially all connections between the wires and connector terminals of the wiring harness. The exterior sleeve may be flame-retardant and configured to withstand extreme weather conditions. A regulator controls expansion of high pressure CNG to a lower pressure gas that may be utilized in the CNG-powered vehicle. An integrated kill switch prevents engine starting during fueling. The integrated kill switch prohibits engine starting when a fill nozzle cap is improperly installed onto a fill receptacle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wiring harness for a compressed natural gas, CNG, powered vehicle, the wiring harness comprising:
 an assembly comprising one or more wires configured to convey electrical signals;   an exterior sleeve comprising a protective over-molding for the one or more wires;   a regulator configured as a pressure control element; and   an integrated kill switch configured to prevent engine starting during fueling.   
     
     
         2 . The wiring harness of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more wires are bound together by any of straps, cable ties, cable lacing, sleeves, electrical tape, conduit, a weave of extruded string, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The wiring harness of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more wires are configured to supply electric power to electronic components mounted in the vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The wiring harness of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical signals are comprised of sensor signals and information about the operation of the compressed natural gas fuel system. 
     
     
         5 . The wiring harness of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior sleeve is configured to seal substantially all connections between the one or more wires and connector terminals comprising the wiring harness. 
     
     
         6 . The wiring harness of  claim 5 , wherein the exterior sleeve comprises a flame-retardant element that is configured to reduce the risk of electrical fires. 
     
     
         7 . The wiring harness of  claim 5 , wherein the exterior sleeve is configured to withstand extreme weather conditions and meets the IEC IP67 rating. 
     
     
         8 . The wiring harness of  claim 1 , wherein the regulator is configured to control expansion of high pressure CNG to a lower pressure gas that may be utilized in the CNG-powered vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . The wiring harness of  claim 8 , wherein the regulator further comprises a circulation bowl configured to receive heated engine coolant to prevent moisture buildup and freezing within the regulator during the expansion of the high pressure CNG. 
     
     
         10 . The wiring harness of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more wires are configured to be coupled with a centralized, weather-resistant fuse box. 
     
     
         11 . The wiring harness of  claim 10 , wherein the fuse box is configured to provide convenient access to one or more fuses of a CNG fuel system. 
     
     
         12 . The wiring harness of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more fuses are each configured to protect an individual engine cylinder. 
     
     
         13 . The wiring harness of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more fuses are comprised of any of ATC, AGU and ANL fuses. 
     
     
         14 . The wiring harness of  claim 10 , wherein the fuse box is comprised of a number of fused circuits ranging between 2 fused circuits and 12 fused circuits. 
     
     
         15 . The wiring harness of  claim 14 , wherein the fuse box comprises an independent fuse panel, such that each fused circuit includes at least a power input wire and an output wire. 
     
     
         16 . The wiring harness of  claim 14 , wherein the fuse box comprises a ganged fuse panel, such that electrical power is shared among the number of fused circuits. 
     
     
         17 . The wiring harness of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated kill switch is configured to prohibit engine starting when a fill nozzle cap is improperly installed onto a fill receptacle. 
     
     
         18 . A method for preventing engine starting of a compressed natural gas, CNG, powered vehicle, comprising:
 detecting activation of an ignition system of the vehicle;   detecting an improper nozzle fill cap installation onto a fill receptacle;   preventing engine starting during the improper nozzle fill cap installation;   indicating the improper nozzle fill cap installation to an operator of the vehicle; and   allowing engine starting in absence of the improper nozzle fill cap installation.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein indicating comprises displaying visual alerts such as lights, icons, and graphics on a dashboard of the vehicle. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein indicating further comprises providing audible alerts that correspond to the visual alerts.